MHS Mentor Spring Sports preview 2013

The Mentor Spring Sports Preview 2013 M

Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan. March 5, 2013 Cover By Dheepthi Perumal and Liz Logback

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the MENTOR

March 5, 2013

Baseball

Baseball returns strong pitching group Nick Bandy Sports Editor

MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL

Last year’s team gathers around to listen to head coach Don Hess at a game last year. He VARSITY BASEBALL directed them to a 19-6 record but they have lost nine seniors from last year’s team.

2013 Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff DAY

DATE

TUES

MAR.26

FRI

MAR. 29

DAYFRIDAY DATE APR. DATE5

OPPONENT LOCATION MANHATTAN HIGHHIGH SCHOOL MANHATTAN SCHOOL WICHITA EAST/DERBY HERE VARSITY BASEBALL VARSITY BASEBALL TOPEKA HIGH 2013 2013 HERE HAYDEN OPPONENT OPPONENT

APR.WICHITA 9 TOPEKA WEST TUES TUES EAST/DERBY TUES MAR.26 MAR.26 WICHITA EAST/DERBY

FRI

FRI FRI

APR.TOPEKA 12 HEIGHTS MAR. 29 HIGH HIGH MAR. 29 SHAWNEE TOPEKA

FRI

TUES 16 JUNCTION APR. 5APR. FRI APR.HAYDEN 5 HAYDEN CITY

TIME 2:00/4:00/6:00PM

4:00PM

THERE LOCATION TIME3:30PM LOCATION TIME 4:00PM 4:00PM 4:00PM

THEREHERE THERE

4:00PM 3:30PM 3:30PM

THEREHERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00PM 4:00PM

HERETHERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM 4:00PM

MAY.3 PARK TUES FRI JUNCTION CITY CITY TUES APR. 16APR. 16 HIGHLAND JUNCTION

HEREHERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM 4:00PM

MAY.7 TUES TUES SEAMAN TUES APR. 23APR. 23 WASHBURN SEAMAN RURAL

HERETHERE HERE

3:00PM 4:00PM 4:00PM

FRI

FRI

APR. 26APR.EMPORIA @ SODENS FIELD FIELD 26 EMPORIA @ SODENS

THERETHERE

4:00PM4:00PM

FRI

FRI

MAY.3MAY.3 HIGHLAND PARK PARK HIGHLAND

HERE HERE

4:00PM4:00PM

THERETHERE

3:00PM3:00PM

FRI

FRI FRI

26 @HEIGHTS SODENS FIELD APR. 12APR. HEIGHTS APR.SHAWNEE 12 EMPORIA SHAWNEE

TUES TUES MAY.7MAY.7 WASHBURN RURALRURAL WASHBURN

ure out what our best fit is and go from there,” Giller said, “Our junior class is a strong class and they have good chemistry.”

On defense, the Indians show flexibility with players who can play multiple positions. Hitting remains a question mark that will not be resolved until the first game.

“The top of our lineup should be really strong, it’s just a matter of getting hits all throughout the lineup,” Klug said.

The players have put in two months of winter training to prepare for the first games on March 26 against Wichita East and Derby.

“Physically we’re ready to start the year so hopefully that will show up early in the season,” Hess said.

4:00PM 2:00/4:00/6:00PM HERETHERE HERE 2:00/4:00/6:00PM

HEREHERE HERE

23 SEAMAN TUES TUES WEST WEST TUES APR. 9APR. APR.TOPEKA 9 TOPEKA

It’s hard to improve on one of the best years in school history, but the Manhattan High baseball team looks to do that after finishing last year with a 19-6 record and placing fourth at State. This year’s team is ranked seventh in the state in preseason rankings.

“I think the talent is going to be there, it’s just a matter of leadership that we need to have,” junior Chris Klug said.

Over the summer and fall many of the players played for the local Legion team, and players who didn’t get much varsity experience last year learned a lot by playing in the 18 and under division. This

was crucial for a team who is lacking in experience after losing nine seniors from last year’s varsity team.

“We lost some great ones but we feel like we have some great ones coming back,” head coach Don Hess said.

MHS looks to achieve its goal of winning League and State titles by using their strength -- pitching.

“Our pitchers are going to be as deep talent-wise as we’ve seen in the last seven or eight years,” Hess said.

Last year the Indian’s best pitcher was graduate Derrek Francis, and it was his first year pitching. This year their ace will be senior T.J. Giller, followed by several talented juniors.

“We all need to come together and find that balancing point were we all fig-

JV VARSITY BASEBALL TUES

MAR. 26

WICHITA EAST/DERBY

HERE

2:00/4:00/6:00PM

FRI

MAR.29

TOPEKA HIGH

HERE

4:00PM

FRI

APR. 5

HAYDEN JV VARSITY BASEBALL JV VARSITY BASEBALL

HERE

4:00PM

APR. 9 TOPEKA WEST TUES TUES EAST/DERBY TUES MAR. 26 MAR.WICHITA 26 WICHITA EAST/DERBY FRI APR. 12 SHAWNEE HEIGHTS FRI FRI MAR.29 TOPEKA HIGH HIGH MAR.29 TOPEKA 16 JUNCTION CITY FRI TUES APR. 5APR. HAYDEN FRI APR. 5 HAYDEN TUES APR. 23 SEAMAN TUES TUES APR. 9 APR.TOPEKA WEST WEST 9 TOPEKA FRI APR. 26 EMPORIA @ HORNET FIELD FRI FRI APR. 12APR.SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 12 SHAWNEE HEIGHTS HAYDEN WED MAY. 1 TUES TUES APR. 16APR.JUNCTION CITY CITY 16 JUNCTION TUES MAY.7 WASHBURN RURAL TUES TUES APR. 23APR.SEAMAN 23 SEAMAN

4:00PM 2:00/4:00/6:00PM HERETHERE HERE 2:00/4:00/6:00PM 4:00PM HEREHERE HERE 4:00PM4:00PM 4:00PM HEREHERE HERE 4:00PM4:00PM 4:00PM THEREHERE THERE 4:00PM4:00PM THERE 3:30PM HERE HERE 4:00PM 4:00PM THERE 3:30PM HERE HERE 4:00PM4:00PM THERE 3:00PM HERE HERE 4:00PM4:00PM

FRI

THERETHERE

3:30PM3:30PM

THERETHERE

3:30PM3:30PM

FRI

APR. 26APR.EMPORIA @ HORNET FIELD FIELD 26 EMPORIA @ HORNET

HAYDEN WED WED MAY. 1 MAY. 1 HAYDEN

2012 junior Jake Prittle hits a fly ball during a game last year. He will be one of the Indians’ strongest returning hitters in a lineup that starts out well but needs hits from all players to be successful. The Indians are currently ranked seventh in the state in the preseason rankings.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff

the MENTOR

Softball

March 5, 2013

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Softball looking for state championship MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL

VARSITY HIGH SOFTBALL MANHATTAN SCHOOL 2013 VARSITY SOFTBALL OPPONENT 2013 LOCATION

DAY

DATE

TIME

TUES DAY

MAR. 26 DATE

WICHITA NW/DERBY OPPONENT

HERE LOCATION

3:00/4:45/6:30 TIME

FRI TUES

MAR. 29 MAR. 26

TOPEKA HIGH WICHITA NW/DERBY

THERE HERE

4:00PM 3:00/4:45/6:30

FRI FRI

MAR.529 APR.

TOPEKA HIGH HAYDEN

THERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

FRI FRI

APR. APR. 12 5

SHAWNEE HAYDEN HEIGHTS

THERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

TUES FRI

APR.16 APR. 12

JUNCTIONHEIGHTS CITY SHAWNEE

THERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

FRI TUES

APR. 19 APR.16

TOPEKA WEST JUNCTION CITY

HERE THERE

4:00 PM 4:00PM

TUES FRI

APR. APR. 23 19

SEAMAN TOPEKA WEST

THERE HERE

4:00 4:00 PM PM

FRI TUES

APR. 26 APR. 23

EMPORIA SEAMAN

HERE THERE

4:00 PM PM 4:00

FRI FRI

MAY.3 APR. 26

HIGHLAND EMPORIA PARK

THERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00 PM

WED FRI

MAY.8 MAY.3

WASHBURN RURAL HIGHLAND PARK

HERE THERE

4:00 PM 4:00PM

WED

MAY.8

WASHBURN RURAL

HERE

4:00 PM

JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

2012 junior Jenna Stigge hits the ball in a game last year. She will be one the players returning from last year’s varsity team that was disappointed with its loss in the first round of Regionals.

The team looks to improve this year.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff Liz Logback Features Editor After losing in the first game of Regionals last year, the Manhattan High softball team is preparing to come back strong this year. The girls have been conditioning, both on their own and with the baseball team, but due to weather, pre-season conditioning has been minimal. Softball tryouts began this past week, with the goal of forming a team that will go to State.

Each year the softball team has to regroup after losing valuable seniors.

Head coach Scott Mall feels the loss of seniors from last year will be difficult but won’t set the team back. The process happens every year, and new seniors step up as team leaders and key players.

“We’ll always miss the

seniors. We had some power hitters that could punch up the lineup,” Mall said.

And power hitting is exactly what Mall finds essential for the softball team.

This year, he is confident the girls will be able to fill the shoes last year’s seniors left behind.

“The key is the ability to get on base. We will have some good contact from the plate and get some hitters on base,” Mall said.

Pitcher junior Aubrey Jung is looking forward to the season and the friendships that come along with that. “I’m really excited for the team chemistry. We all get along really well,” she said.

She’s been preparing for the season and practicing her pitching through her club team during the winter. She has also done some conditioning with the high

school team. Mall feels Jung is a valuable member of the team as a pitcher.

“She’s got some strength,” he said.

Mall’s hope for the team is that they will “improve day by day, and game by game, as a whole and individually.”

And the common goal for the softball team is obvious; make it to State.

Both Mall and Jung feel the team is capable of that and share the hope of placing at State.

“I think that this year we have a really good chance to make it to State and I hope that’s a goal for the whole team,” Jung said.

The softballs team’s first game will be on March 26 against Wichita North West and Derby at home.

TUES

MAR. 26

WICHITA JUNIOR NW/DERBYVARSITY

SOFTBALL HERE

3:00/4:45/6:30

TUES FRI

MAR. MAR. 26 29

WICHITA NW/DERBY TOPEKA HIGH

HERE THERE

3:00/4:45/6:30 4:00PM

FRI FRI

MAR. APR. 529

TOPEKA HAYDENHIGH

THERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

FRI FRI

APR. 12 5 APR.

HAYDEN HEIGHTS SHAWNEE

HERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

TUES FRI

APR. APR. 16 12

JUNCTION SHAWNEECITY HEIGHTS

THERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

FRI TUES

APR. 19 APR. 16

TOPEKA JUNCTIONWEST CITY

HERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

TUES FRI

APR. APR. 23 19

SEAMAN TOPEKA WEST

THERE HERE

4:00 PM 4:00PM

FRI TUES

APR. 26 APR. 23

EMPORIA SEAMAN

HERE THERE

4:00PM 4:00 PM

MON FRI

APR. APR. 29 26

WAMEGO EMPORIA

HERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

WED MON

MAY.8 APR. 29

WASHBURN WAMEGO RURAL

HERE HERE

4:00PM 4:00PM

WED

MAY.8

WASHBURN RURAL

HERE

4:00PM

2012 sophomore Aubrey Jung pitches the ball at a home game. She will be on the Indians’ best returning pitchers as they chase a State title despite losing seniors that provided a lot of hitting power.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff

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the MENTOR

March 5, 2013

Girls Swimming and Diving

MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL

Girls swimming and diving returns state competitors GIRLS SWIMMING / DIVING 2013

Derrek Williams Staff Writer Last year’s seniors made up a majority of the group that went to State for the Manhattan High girls swim team, and without them this year’s team could be missing some of its leadership.

“We do have a lot of key swimmers that have returned this year,” head coach Jerry Carpenter said.

Last year’s team had 76 swimmers at the beginning of the season and by the time the season was done there was still 74 swimmers, most of whom had never competed before and a few who barely knew how to swim. The team had swimmers of all levels of skill, but what they lacked in star swimmers they made up in

sheer size of the team. The Indians were able to dominate the events and fill the lanes that got them more swimmers that placed to get points allowing them to win many meets. This year the size of the swimming team drastically decreased.

“We did not have many swimmers show on the first day, but we may pick up more swimmers in the next few days,” Carpenter said.

“And a small team can even help us better because then we would not have to take so many busses for away meets, and overall just less swimmers so we would not have to spend more money on the arrangements.”

This year does have some swimmers returning that made it to State last year. Two complete relay teams that placed in the top eight at State are returning,

as well as junior Pilar Dritz who placed in the top eight in an individual event, and junior Alanna Bucholtz and sophomore Mariah Scipio who also went to State in individual events. Because of the key swimmers returning, Carpenter expects to be able to return to State this year.

“Some swimmers were able to participate in the year round swimming with the Manhattan Marlins so that should be able to make things easier because I don’t have to spend so much time getting as many of them ready,” Carpenter said.

Girls diving will attend their first meet at Emporia on March 13.

DAY

DATE

WED

MAR. 13

THUR

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

EMPORIA DIVING INVITATIONAL

EMPORIA

4:00PM

MAR. 14

EMPORIA SWIM INVITATIONAL

EMPORIA

4:00PM

WED

MAR. 27

JUNCTION CITY, LAW. FREE STATE, MAIZE

HERE

3:30 PM

TUES

APR. 2

EMPORIA DIVING INVITATIONAL

THERE

4:00PM

THUR

APR. 4

SALINA SOUTH DIVE/SWIM

THERE

FRI

APR. 5

OLATHE SWIM INVITE

CALIFORNIA TRAIL

1:30/3:30 P 5:00PM

FRI

APR. 5

OLATHE DIVE INVITE

CHISHOLM TRAIL

4:45PM

WED

APR. 10

TH/T.WEST/T-SEAMAN/SH. HEIGHTS

HERE

3:30 PM

MON

APR. 15

EMPORIA/HAYS/HUTCH/TMP

HERE

3:30 PM

TUES

APR. 16

SALINA SOUTH DIVE INVITE

THERE

1:30PM

WED.

APR. 24

TR.ACADEMY/S. CENTRAL/ S. SOUTH/JC/GARDEN CITY

HERE

3:30 PM

FRI

APR. 26

GREAT BEND INVITATIONAL

THERE

4:00 PM

FRI

APR. 26

MANHATTAN DIVING INV.

HERE

3:30 PM

SAT

APR. 27

SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH DIVE INV.

THERE

9:00AM

WED

MAY. 1

EMPORIA, W. RURAL/HAYDEN

HERE

3:30 PM

THUR

MAY. 9

CENTENIAL LEAGUE DIVE

EMPORIA

4:00PM

FRI

MAY. 10

CENTENIAL LEAGUE SWIM

EMPORIA

4:00PM

TOPEKA

TBA

FRI/SAT MAY 17/18 STATE SWIM MEET

Left: 2012 sophomore Alana Bucholtz drives off the blocks to start her race at a meet last year.

Below: 2012 freshman Katie Bussman prepares to start her race at a Manhattan Marlins Meet .

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff

Swimmer battles breathing struggles and continues to compete Liz Logback Features editor When sophomore Katie Bussmann found herself gasping for air as someone helped her out of the pool, she knew that her passion for swimming presented a challenge.

But she has always been in the water, and a breathing problem is “just another obstacle to climb.”

It was at a club meet last year during the 500 freestyle race that Bussmann noticed her breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. After her race she struggled to breathe and had an attack, similar to an asthma attack. Normally she would have gone over to talk to her coach and get his feedback on her race, but this time her teammates had to help her out of the pool

and get her to the side where she could catch her breath again.

Early last May, Bussmann went to the doctor where they diagnosed her. “I have an inverted rib cage that presses into my lungs preventing me from taking the full amount of air into my lungs. There’s a sharp shooting pain every time I take a deep breath,” Bussmann said.

She was given an inhaler and instructed to take it every four hours. Bussmann consistently uses the inhaler before each practice or meet, but because practices are only two and half hours, if she has an attack or troubles breathing during her laps, she can not use the inhaler again.

“Sometimes during sets I have to stop and catch my breath. I can’t take my inhaler again though so I just have to tough it out,” she said.

Despite her breathing struggles, Bussmann has still excelled in her swimming career. She began swimming at age five, and in fifth grade she was invited to the All-State team, an elite team that hosts swimmers, elementary age to seniors, from across the country. Her freshman year, Bussmann was one of two freshmen to go to State with the high school team.

This year, Bussmann began swimming in August on the Marlins team but this past week switched over to high school swimmingw. She hopes to make it to State again this year and improve her times.

“You would think that this problem would hold me back because swimming requires the most oxygen, but I’m determined to persevere through this,” Bussmann said.

the MENTOR

Track and Field

March 5, 2013

5

Track and field starts season with large group Tre Fuentes Staff Writer There are many ways to be inspired. For the boys and girls of the Manhattan High Track team, their inspiration comes from discipline, hard work, and, of course, running. Susan Melgares, the distance runner coach for the track team, believes that running is a test that pushes the limits of what the students at MHS are capable of.

“We have a very solid level of talent. Running has a lot to do with discipline,” Melgares said. “It takes mental toughness and

MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY TRACK VARSITY TRACK 2013 2013 DAY

DAY DATE DATE

OPPONENT OPPONENT

LOCATION LOCATION TOPEKA TOPEKA

3:30PM 3:30PM

THUR MAR. 28 WASHBURN RURAL INV. THUR MAR. 28 WASHBURN RURAL INV.

TOPEKA TOPEKA

3:30 PM 3:30 PM

FRI FRI SAT FRI FRI FRI FRI

FRI

APR. 5 TOPEKA HIGH INV. APR. 5 TOPEKA HIGH INV.

TOPEKA TOPEKA

3:30PM 3:30PM

FRI

APR. 12 MANHATTAN INVITE APR. 12 MANHATTAN INVITE

HERE HERE

3:00PM 3:00PM

FRI

APR. 19 KANSAS TRACK & FIELD CLASSIC EMPORIA STATE 3:30PM APR. 19 KANSAS TRACK & FIELD CLASSIC EMPORIA STATE 3:30PM

SAT

APR. 20 KANSAS TRACK & FIELD CLASSIC EMPORIA STATE 9:00AM APR. 20 KANSAS TRACK & FIELD CLASSIC EMPORIA STATE 9:00AM

FRI

APR. 26 SEAMAN RELAYS APR. 26 SEAMAN RELAYS

SEAMAN SEAMAN

3:00PM 3:00PM

FRI

MAY. 3 SALINA CENTRAL RELAYS MAY. 3 SALINA CENTRAL RELAYS

SALINA SALINA

3:30PM 3:30PM

FRI

MAY. 10 CENNTENIAL MAY. 10 CENNTENIAL

EMPORIA EMPORIA

3:30 PM 3:30 PM

FRI

MAY. 17 REGIONAL MEET MAY. 17 REGIONAL MEET

TBD

TBD

3:00 PM 3:00 PM

FRI/SAT MAY 24/25 6A STATE MEET FRI/SAT MAY 24/25 6A STATE MEET

WICHITA WICHITA

pable of.”

Not only do the track and field students enjoy what they do, but they are good at it. The MHS girls and boys both placed first at the league and Regional competitions last year, and would like to improve beyond that. They both finished fourth overall at State, and with the level of returning runners, there is no reason to believe they can’t repeat at being considered one of the best programs in the state for track and field.

TIME TIME

THUR MAR. 14 TOPEKA WEST INV. THUR MAR. 14 TOPEKA WEST INV.

FRI

adversity to push through.

It could be raining, it could be windy, but it requires you take everything you think you can handle and push harder. And I think our kids have that positive outlook on running. There is a lot to look forward to.”

Senior Tony Daniels, one of the sprinters, also believes that track and field has a lot of extra benefits.

“I think track benefits you in more than just running,” Daniels says. “Whether you play football, basketball, soccer, or just like a challenge, track and field is a great way to stay in shape and test what you are ca-

TBA

TBA

JUNIOR VARSITY TRACK JUNIOR VARSITY TRACK WED

WED MAR. 27 MANHATTAN (JV) MAR. 27 MANHATTAN (JV)

TUES APR. 2 WAMEGO JV TUES APR. 2 WAMEGO JV FRI

FRI

APR. 5 RILEY COUNTY APR. 5 RILEY COUNTY

HERE HERE

3:30PM 3:30PM

THERE THERE

3:30PM 3:30PM

RILEY COUNTY 3:00PM RILEY COUNTY 3:00PM

WED APR. 10 SHAWNEE HEIGHTS WED APR. 10 SHAWNEE HEIGHTS

SH. HEIGHTS 3:30PM SH. HEIGHTS 3:30PM

TUES APR. 16 JUNCTION CITY JV TUES APR. 16 JUNCTION CITY JV

J. CITY J. CITY

THUR APR. 25 MHS SMALL SCHOOLS INVITE HERE THUR APR. 25 MHS SMALL SCHOOLS INVITE HERE WED

WED MAY. 1 WASHBURN RURAL INV. MAY. 1 WASHBURN RURAL INV.

W. RURAL W. RURAL

3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30PM 3:30PM

Upper Left: 2012 sophomore Gabby Edwards takes off from the block during a relay race last spring.

Above: 2012 junior Rejoice Bryant jumps over a hurdle at a track meet last year. The track team is prepared to come back strong this year with a large group.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff

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March 5, 2013

the MENTOR

Girls Soccer

Lady Indians prepare for new season and players One to Watch John Rockey staff writer

A new season means upholding the standards set by the teams that came before. This season, the Manhattan High girl’s soccer team will seek out becoming the very best they can be, one game at a time.

Last year’s 15-1-3 Varsity season and 11-3-1 JV season set the Lady Indians up with new and returning players, all dedicated to competing hard.

“Our team chemistry is really good, so I’m excited to play with everyone and see how far they go,” junior Zoey Botkins said.

Each player has personal goals for the season, as well as goals shared with the team. Going to State is a shared goal for the Lady Indians.

“I’m hoping to make the two-mile this year and distribute the ball well,” senior Willie Stockton said.

“As a team, we’re hoping to beat Washburn and go to State.”

Challenges teaching new players how to compete and work with the team come each year, but the Lady Indians are enthusiastic about playing with their new teammates.

“We have a bunch of players, so we will be filling in those positions,” Botkins said. “Since some of us have been playing together for so long, the transition shouldn’t be very hard.”

Last year’s win at Regionals has the girls excited to go after State this year.

“I think we have a lot of versatile players, so we can play a lot of different people at a lot of different positions,” coach Mike Sanchez said.

The year’s first match is against Topeka High on March 14.

Q: How will being a senior on the team be different than other years?

Senior Bailey Snyder

A: I feel like it will be the same except that we are the leaders and we will be expected to lead.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most Q: What is the atmosphere of the team? this season?

2012 sophomore Alexis Williams fights for the ball during a game in last years season. The Lady indians made it to Regionals last year.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff

A: Playing with all my friends, and we have a really good team so I think we could make it to State.

Q: What is the greatest strength of the team?

A: Good. We are all really happy and excited to be there ready to play.

Q: Does the team, or groups from the team, get together outside of soccer?

A: I think we all work really well together and we have really good chemistry and we’ve been playing together for a really long time, so the fact that we have been working as a team really well.

A: Yeah, actually most of all of us are really good friends and some will camp out and be practicing until four and we have pre-game.

We just do lots of things together.

Q: What is the biggest weakness of the team?

Q: What are your goals for the team this year?

A: We have a few injuries and our goalie Kristen [Thompson] because she is having shoulder surgery.

A: To make it to State and to be undefeated.

Derrek Williams Staff Writer

the MENTOR

Boys Tennis and Boys Golf

Tennis players fight for team spots Last year’s team poses for its team photo. Many of their best players returned this year and they are looking ahead to their first meet on March 26.

Courtesy photo of J&C Imaging

The J.V. tennis schedule can be found online at http://www.usd383.org/Schools/Secondary/MHS/athletics.aspx Alan Brown staff writer As spring approaches, the MHS tennis team is busy preparing for the upcoming season. For many team members it’s an opportunity to take the next step towards achieving their goals.

“Last season went well for me, and I think that I learned a lot and improved a lot,” junior Jonathan Turnley said. “This year I hope to continue getting better.”

The team certainly has the potential for an excellent season. It will be returning nearly every one of its Varsity members from last year, as well as a few of its top J.V. players. Even the incoming freshmen have the possibility of mak-

ing an impact.

“Some of the freshmen are playing really well, so that will help a lot,” Turnley said. “I think we have a shot at being one of the best teams in the league.”

One of the top returning players, Jake Seaton, has played tennis since he was in seventh grade. He had a very impressive season last year, qualifying for State for a third time and finishing third in the Regional competition. In his final season at MHS, assuming he sticks with singles, Seaton hopes to win the Regionals and finish in the top 10 at the State level.

“I like that [tennis] is both an individual and team sport. You compete individually but rely on your teammates for your own improvement,” Seaton

said. “Success as a team is much more rewarding than individual accomplishment.”

Turnley hopes to continue playing on the doubles team. To most tournaments, schools only bring six players, so a friendly battle goes on within the team for the opportunity to play. Turnley has played on the doubles team since his freshman year and knows the competition will be intense but sees it as beneficial to the overall success of the team.

“I think it’s is a good thing,” Turnley said. “It makes us all work harder and try to get better.”

The first tennis meet is the Washburn Rural Invite on March 26.

March 5, 2013

7

Golf returning from successful year ously you would like to finish first there, but you have to get to State to be able to place in it,” Ackerman said.

Last year, the only senior on the roster was Joe Ballard, but the golf team also will lose Graham Grable The MHS boys golf and Nick Heldt from last team is coming off of a years team, since they great season last year. don’t attend MHS As a team, out of 10 anymore. matches, the golf team “We had a very had three first place young team last year. finishes, three second With our team being place finishes, and a so young, some of the third place finish. younger guys might “Last year, we have to step up and qualified for State. be a leader,” AckerWe ended up finishman said. ing first at Regionals The golf team was and we got second at supposed to have a State. I believe Drew meeting on Feb. 25 Casper finished at 10th and tryouts Feb. 26 personally. We had a through Feb. 28, but pretty good season as due to weather, those a team,” coach Craig dates were postponed.

Ackerman said.

The meeting was held This year, the golf on Monday this week team will look to keep and tryouts started the ball rolling and 2012 freshman Drew Casper follows accomplish the goals through on a swing during last year’s golf on Tuesday and will end on Thursday, so they set for them- season. for right now the only selves.

Photo by 2011-12 MHS Media staff things set in stone for “Our first goal is the golf team are the to always grow and coaches, Ackerman develop on the JV A positive for the Golf and Brad Ficke. The first side to try to eventually get them on to the Varsity team is that they should golf tournament will be on team. For Varsity their goal have a very experienced April 1 at Salina Central. is to make it to State. Obvi- young team for this season.

Christian Gulker Staff Writer

8

March 5, 2013

the MENTOR

MHS Booster Club

Booster Club

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SPONSORS 2012-13 Silver $150-$249

Briggs Auto Lane Candlewood Veterinary Clinic Central Mechanical Century Business Systems Community First National Bank Dick Edwards Ford Family and Implant Dentistry Footlocker Grand Mere Development, Inc. Hayden Orthodontics Howie’s Recycling and Trash Service Kansas Air Center Kansas State Bank Little Apple Toyota-Honda Manhattan Alumni Assoc.

Max Fitness McDonald’s Mercy Regional Health Center Nichols Chiropractic Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center Schram Chrysler Dodge Jeep Steel & Pipe Supply Co., Inc. Tindall Orthodontics Walters Morgan Construction Wildcat Creek Golf and Fitness Richard Woodard,D.D.S, P.A.

Bayer Construction Company, Inc. Hyvee J & C Imaging KStat Urgent Care Ostrom Photography St. Thomas Moore Representative Sydney Carlin The Eye Doctors

Platinum $350-$499 Commerce Bank Manhattan Dermatology

Gold $250-$349 Marinello School of Beauty Stigge Vision Care The Trust Company

Bronze $76-$149 Ag Press Candlewood Health Mart Pharmacy Eagle Communication First National Bank of Wamego Hi Tech Interiors Little Caesars Pizza Kansas Farm Bureau Manhattan Motors Murdock Auto Seaton Publishing

Indian $30-$75 Arthur-Green, LLP Ballards Borck Brothers Mens Wear Burnett Automotive Danenberg Jewelers Faith Furniture RM Baril General Contractor, Inc. Terry & Claudia Voos Washington Dance Studio

For Information on using your advertising to help the students of MHS, Contact the Booster Club Fundraising Committee Tonya & Denny Woods tonyawoods3@att.net Becky & Steve Ballard bzball@yahoo.com Tracey & Mark Gros mgros@cox.net

The Mentor staff

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editor in chief/ opinions -Ben Shields news editor -Sarah Shi entertainment editor -Naomi McClendon sports editor -Nick Bandy features editor -Liz Logback trending co-editors Connor Bliss Maddie Ross photo editor -Kaitlin Wichmann copy editor -Kayla Dieker multimedia editor - Dheepthi Perumal business manager - Jerry Sextro adviser -Kristy Nyp

writers/photographers: Danielle Cook Tre Fuentes Julianne Harkness Julith Perry John Riforgiate Nastajja Rivera John Rockey Seth Runyan Maddy Sparks Derrek Williams contributing writers - Alan Brown circulation - Kristyn Baker Leonard Castilow David Clinkinbeard Patrick Falcone Corey Garrison Sam LeFleur Kasey Morris Mallory Morris Kendall Oatney Emma Rowley Austin Tatum Seth Wagner

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